Prediction of height using hand and foot parameters in Maharashtrian population

Background: Height, a reflection of skeletal growth, is important in calculating various parameters such as lung volumes, glomerular filtration, and metabolic rate. In forensic medicine, where skeletal remains are recovered, calculating the stature is necessary. Estimation of height is important in design of prosthetic body parts and reconstruction surgeries. The objective of this study was to estimate the height of a person from hand and foot parameters. Methodology: In a cross-sectional study, height, hand length (HL), hand breadth (HB), foot length (FL), and foot breadth (FB) were measured in a sample of 200 students (116 females and 84 males) aged between 18 and 24 years. Multiple regression model was used to derive equations for calculation of height from these parameters. Results: Three different multiple regression equations were derived for total cases and for male population and female population separately. The equation for estimation of height in males is 78.808 + 3.592 FL − 1.094 FB + 0.508 HL + 0.003 HB, in females is 69.042 + 3.889 FL + 0.729 FB + 0.621 HL − 1.077 HB and in general is 53.649 + 3.884 FL − 0.285 FB + 0.509 HL + 1.084 HB. The multiple correlation coefficient® is 0.844 for total population and 0.673 for male population and 0.733 for female population (P = 0.001 indicating high significance). Conclusion: Multiple regression equations using FL, FB, HL, and HB can predict height.